Water birth

Water birth is particularly helpful if you have PGP. The support of the water allows you to move around easily, which can be very difficult on dry land, and you can change position with very little effort even if you are normally very immobile. The warmth of the water also provides great pain relief in labour, and can also be used during pregnancy for pain relief. Many women report a sense of freedom of movement that they haven’t experienced for some time, and the water makes it very easy to change position. Most hospitals and birth centres now have pools – ask your midwife about the options – or you can hire or buy a portable one quite cheaply to use at home.

Some midwives are concerned about getting women with PGP in and out of the pool. However, it is usually easy to get in and out if you perch on the edge of the pool with someone standing behind you, and ask another helper to help you to lift your legs together into the pool. To get out, reverse the process. If the rim of the pool is too narrow, you can put a high stool or perching stool next to the pool and do the same thing. In an emergency, they can get you out in the same way they would evacuate anyone else usually using a mobile hoist (and this very rarely happens anyway).

If you, or your midwife, are concerned about being able to use the pool, ask to speak to the Professional Midwifery Advocate or Consultant midwife. They are there to promote safe practice and support women’s informed decisions, so will be able to discuss the pros and cons with you and support your choices.

“My hire pool arrived 3 weeks before the baby was due (5 weeks before she arrived!) and I used it most evenings to relax in and for general pain relief.”

The Pelvic Partnership consists of volunteers who have had Pelvic Girdle Pain (PGP) and wish to support other women. We aim to pass on information based on both research and the experience of other women with PGP. We are not medical professionals and cannot offer medical advice and the information we provide should not take the place of advice and guidance from your own health-care providers. Material on this site is provided for information and support purposes only.